Flush hinge



Jan. 31, 1956 l. R. PoE 2,732,582

FLUSH HINGE Filed Deo. l5, 1952 United States Patent O FLUSH HINGE Lloyd R. Poe, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Clark Hartwell and Eleanor M. Hartwell, copartners, doing business as Hartwell Aviation Supply Company, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 15, 1952, Serial No. 326,089

claims. (C1. 16-179) My invention relates to ush hinges and included in the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a ush hinge which includes a pair of arcuate hinge members adapted to slide one on the other to furnish pivotal movement about a primary axis, one of the members carrying a pivot pin engageable with the other member to form a secondary pivotal axis whereby a door supported by the hinge may be moved initially about the primary axis and finally about the secondary axls.

Second, to provide a hinge which is particularly designed for use as a flush hinge in which all parts may be concealed behind the door or the like and its frame and which enables the door to be flush mounted with a minimum amount of clearance between the door and its frame.

Third, to provide a hinge construction of this type which enables the door supported thereby to have a maximum range of movement in order to place the door completely clear of the door opening and further permits such movement without resort to brackets or other supports which project appreciably into the area of the door opening so that the full area of the door opening may be utilized.

Fourth, to provide a hinge construction of this type which eliminates need of any cut-out or recess in the margin of the door or its frame to accommodate the hinge or permit its operation.

Fifth, to provide a hinge of this type which may be so arranged by shaping the hinge members as to provide a cam action operable as the door approaches its fully opened position to retain the door in such fully opened position.

Sixth, to provide a hinge of this type which may incorporate spring means to render the door self-opening or self-closing; and, in particular, may incorporate a novel spring so arranged as to function, as the doorl approaches closed position, to urge the door toward closed position, and to in addition, function as the door approaches open position to urge the door toward full open position.

Seventh, to provide a hinge of this type which may be used in sets or may be continuous in the manner of a piano hinge.

With the above and other objects in view which may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawings in which: j

fFigure 1 is a side view of my Hush hinge with a portion of one of the hinge members broken away, the hinge being adapted to be mounted on the inside of the door and its frame, the door and frame being omitted.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of one of the hinge members taken from the opposite direction to Figure 1.

j Figure 3 is a similar fragmentary view of the other hingejmember. V l j Figurel y4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing by solid lines the hinge andl door in its closed position and showing by broken'- Iines the hinge and door in a partially open position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view through line 5 5 of Figure 1, showing by solid lines the hinge and door in its full open position and indicating by broken lines a partially open position.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View through line 6 6 of Figure 4.

My Hush hinge includes a xed hinge member 1 formed of sheet material and bent in the form of an arc or section of a cylinder. One extremity is provided with an outwardly directed ilange 2, whereas the other extremity is provided with an inwardly directed ange 3. The flanges 2 and 3 in the embodiment shown define a plane forming a chord across the arcuate portion of the hinge member 1. At the juncture of the inner flange 3 and corresponding arcuate end of the hinge member there is formed an open journal loop 4. The txed hinge member is provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending parallel slots 5 which continue around the journal loop 4 terminating at the inner flange 3.

The arcuate surface of the Ixed hinge member receives a movable hinge member 6 which is likewise formed of sheet material and which conforms to the curvature of the xed hinge member. One extremity of the movable hinge member 6 is provided with a flange 7 which, in'the embodiment shown, denes a chord crossing the arcuate portion of the movable hinge member 6. The opposite extermity of the hinge member 6 is slotted circumferentially to form tongues 8 which ride on the webs of the ixed hinge member between the slots 5. Between the tongues 8 there are formed loops 9 which project through the slots 5 of the hinge member 1. The loops are coni nected by a hinge pin 10 which underlies and bears against the hinge member 1.

The fixed hinge member 1 is secured by one or both of the anges 2 and 3 to a door frame F. The hinge member 6 is secured by its flange 7 to a door D. The hinge members are so disposed that when the door D is disposed ush with the frame F, the hinge member 6 overlies and conforms to the arcuate curvature of the hinge member 1. In this position the hinge pin 10 is disposed at the end of the hinge member 1 adjacent the outer ange 2. On opening the door D, initial movement thereof occurs about a primary axis defined by the arcuate portions of the hinge members 1 and 6 so that the door moves in the path indicated by the broken lines in Figure 4. Movement about the primary axis continues until the hinge pin engages the open loop or journal loop 4 of the hinge member 1. -Continued movement of the door occurs about a secondary axis defined by the journal loop 4 and the hinge pin 10. The door thus moves in the path indicated by the solid line and broken line positions 4shown in Figure 5.

If it is desired to arrange the door so that it tends to remain in its full open position, the journal loop 4 may be provided with rudimentary cam elements 11. These elements are so located that the tongues 8 ride thereover as the door and hinge member 6 move toward their full open position. By proper arrangement of the cam elements, the tongues 8 may pass over center just before the door and hinge member 6 reachvtheir full open position so that the interengagement of the cam elements and tongues tends to urge the door toward and hold the door and hinge member in this position. More specifically in the construction illustrated in Fig. 5, the broken line position of the hinge and door is approximately on center, as indicated by the center line A of the hinge member 1 passing through the cente'r o f the hinge pin v10 andcr-est" of' the cam 11 at the-point of contact between 'the cam 1-1* and the hinge tongue S. The solid line positionshowsv the hinge beyond center, as indicated by the center; line B of the hinge member 1 passing throughl the center of the pin 10 and through a point of tangency between the loop 4 and the tongue 8 located below the cam 1l. Thus, beyond the broken line position the hinge and door tend to swing open.

The fixed hinge member 1 may have circumferential ribs 12 which may extend across the flange 2. The movable hinge member 6 is also provided with circumferential ribs 13, the undersides of which form channels to receive and ride upon the ribs 12. The ribs and mating channels form bearing surfaces so that the intervening portions of the hinge members are not required to be in bearing contact. Furthermore, the ribs and channels guide the relative movements of the hinge members and prevent any lateral shifting or displacement angular to the axis of the hinge pin.

It will be observed that the flush hinge may be continuous in the manner of a piano hinge or may be arranged as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5 for use in pairs or in sets. In this case the extreme ribs 12 and 13 may constitute only a half section of the complete intermediate ribs.

The hinge pin loops 9 may be divided to provide spaces for torsion springs. Such springs may be essentially conventional and designed so as to render the hinge selfclosing or self-opening. However7 the manner in which the hinge operates permits adoption yof special torsion springs 14 which function at the extremities of travel of the hinge to urge the door to fully closed position or fully open position.

To accomplish this, each spring is provided with an anchor end 15, which projects through the movable hinge and a tangentially extending bearing tongue 16. The inturned flange 3 of the hinge member 1 is offset along its extreme margin as indicated by 17 to form an abutment engaged by the tongues 16. The relationship is such that the tongues 16 rock from the solid line position shown in Figure 4 to the solid line position shown in Figure 5.

When in the position shown in Figure 4 the resultant force of the bearing pressure of the tongues 16 against the abutment 17 is to force the hinge pin 10 clockwise, thus urging the movable hinge toward its extreme closed position.

When the hinge is in the position shown by solid lines in Figure 5, the tongues 16 bear on top of the flange 3 and the torsional force of the spring coils tends to pivot the movable hinge member about the hinge pin axis and urge the door toward its extreme open position.

It also will be observed that, while the hinge member 1 is designated the fixed hinge member, it may be mounted on the door, in which case the other hinge member 6 would be mounted on the adjacent frame. This is less desirable than the arrangement shown for the reason that the hinge member 6 would project into the door opening. ln this regard, in the arrangement illustrated the projection of the hinge into the door opening is extremely small so that when the door is open virtually the full area of the door opening is available. Also, the anges 2 and 7 may be disposed in any angular relation necessary to adapt the hinge to a particular installation.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not Wish to be limited to the details herein set forth but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A hinge construction comprising: a first hinge meniber having an arcuate portion, one arcuate extremity of said hinge member being folded under the arcuate portion to form a journal loop, said arcuate portion and journal loop having a plurality of circumferentially extending slots; a second hinge member having an arcuate surface adapted to ride on the arcuate portion of said first hinge member and including loop elements extending through said Slots; and a hinge pin connecting said loop elements to retain said -second hinge member on said iirst hinge member for relative movement of said hinge members about a primary axis located at the center of curvature of said arcuate portions and movement of said hinge members about a secondary axis located at the center of curvature of said journal loop and pin.

2. A hinge construction as set forth in claim l wherein: said journal loop is provided with an external cam section; and said second hinge member is provided with tongues between its loop elements adapted to ride on said first hinge member and engage said cam section, said cam section being operative to urge said hinge members toward completion of their relative pivotal movement about said journal loop when said hinge members are in proximity thereto.

3. A hinge construction comprising: a first hinge member including an arcuate portion and a pair of anges, one of said flanges being inturned within said arcuate portion and joined thereto by a journal loop portion, said first hinge member having slots extending circumferentially around said arcuate portion and said journal loop portion; a second hinge member having an arcuate portion mating the arcuate portion of the first hinge member and including hinge pin retaining loop elements projecting through said slots, and an attachment ange; and a hinge pin connecting said loop elements to retain said second hinge member on said first hinge member for relative movement of said hinge members about a primary axis located at the center of curvature of said arcuate portions.

and movement of said hinge members about a secondary axis located at the center of curvature of said journal loop and pin.

4. A hinge construction as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said journal loop is provided with an external cam section; and said second hinge member is provided with tongues between its loop elements adapted to ride on said first hinge member and engage said cam section, said cam section being operative to urge said hinge members toward completion of their relative pivotal movement about said journal loop when said hinge members are in,

proximity thereto.

5. A hinge construction comprising: a ber including an arcuate portion and a journal loop underlying one extremity of said arcuate portion, said arcuate portion and journal loop having a plurality of circumferentially extending slots; a second hinge member having an arcuate surface adapted to ride over the arcuate portion of said rst hinge member and including loop elements extending through said slots; a hinge pin connecting said loop elements to retain said second hinge member on said first hinge member for relative movement of said hinge members about a primary axis located at the center of curvature of said arcuate portions and movement of said hinge members about a secondary axis located at the center of curvature of said journal loop and pin; and a torsion spring wrapped on said pin and bearing on said hinge members to effect relative movement thereof.

6. A hinge construction comprising: a iirst hinge member including an arcuate portion and a pair of anges one of said flanges being within said arcuate portion and joined thereto by a journal loop portion, said first hinge member having slots extending circumferentially around said arcuate portion and said journal loop portion; a second hinge member having an arcuate portion mating the arcuate portion of the first hinge member and including hinge pin retaining loop elements projecting through said slots, and an attachment flange; a hinge pin connecting said loop elements to retain said second hinge member on said first hinge member for relative movement of said hinge members about a primary axis located at the center of curvature of said arcuate portions and movement of said hinge members about a secondary axis located at the center of curvature of said journal loop and pin; and a torsion spring wrapped on said pin and bearing on said hinge members to effect relative movement thereof.

7. A hinge construction comprising: a first hinge member having an arcuate portion provided with arcuate slots therein; adapted member and including loop portions extending through said slots; a hinge pin connecting said loop elements and retaining said second hinge member on the first hinge member for relative travel about the center of said arcuate portion; and the arcuate portions of said first and second hinge members having spaced mating rib and channel portions forming bearing and guide means.

8. A hinge construction comprising: a first hinge member including an arcuate portion and a pair of flanges one of said flanges being inturned within said arcuate portion and joined thereto by a journal loop portion, said first hinge member having slots extending circumferentially around said arcuate portion and said journal loop portion; a second hinge member having an arcuate portion mating the arcuate portion of the first hinge member and including hinge pin retaining loop elements projecting through said slots, and an attachment flange; a hinge pin connecting said loop elements to retain said second hinge `member on said first hinge member for relative movement of said hinge members about a primary axis located at the center of curvature of said arcuate portions and movement of said hinge members about a secondary axis located at the center of curvature of said journal loop and pin; and the arcuate surface of said second hinge member and arcuate portion of said first hinge member having spaced mating rib and channel elements forming bearing and guide means.

9. A hinge construction comprising: a first hinge member including an arcuate portion and a pair of flanges, one of said flanges being inturned within said arcuate portion and joined thereto by a journal loop portion, said rst hinge member having slots extending circumferentially around said arcuate portion and said journal loop portion; a second hinge member having an 'arcuate portion mating the arcuate portion of the frst'hinge member and including hinge pin retaining loop elements projecting through said slots, and an attachment flange; a hinge pin connecting said loop elements to retain said second hinge member on said first hinge member for relative movement of said hinge members about a primary axis located at the center of curvature of said arcuate portions and movement of said hinge members about a secondary axis located at the center of curvature of said journal loop and pin; said journal pin, said spring element being anchored by one end to said second hinge member, and having a tongue extending into engagement with the inturned flange of the first hinge member, said spring exerting a biasing force, when said second hinge member approaches either of its extreme positions relative to the fixed hinge member, to urge said second member toward its extreme position.

10. A hinge construction comprising: a lirst hinge member including an arcuate portion and a pair of flanges one of said flanges being inturned within said arcuate portion and joined thereto by a journal loop portion, said first hinge member having slots extending circumferentially around said arcuate portion Vand said journal loop portion; a second hinge member having an arcuate portion mating the arcuate portion of the first hinge member and including hinge pin retaining loop elements projecting through said slots, and an attachment flange; a hinge pin connecting said loop elements to retain said second hinge member on said first hinge member for relative movement of said hinge members about a primary axis located at the center of curvature of said arcuate portions and movement of said hinge members about a secondary axis located at the center of curvature of said journal loop and pin; the arcuate surface of said second hinge member and arcuate portion of said first hinge member having spaced mating rib and channel elements forming bearing and guide means; and a spring element carried on said journal pin, said spring element being anchored by one end to said second hinge member, and having a tongue extending into engagement with the inturned flange of the first hinge member, said spring exerting a biasing force, when said second hinge member approaches either of its extreme positions relative to the fixed hinge member, to urge said second member toward its extreme position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS and a spring element carried on 

